Chances are there’s a layer of grease and gunk on those cabinets that you need to get rid of before giving them a beautiful new coat of paint.

• First thing’s first: remove the cabinet doors and drawers from the cabinet boxes. Make sure you label each one in an inconspicuous spot so that you know where everything needs to go when you’re putting it all back in place.
• Next, it’s time to make your cleaner. Trisodium phosphate (TSP) is the best cleaner for the job, and you can pick up a bottle at most hardware and paint stores. Make sure to wear rubber gloves while you’re handling TSP because it can irritate your skin, especially if you’ve got any open cuts.
• In a large bucket, combine a half cup of TSP with two gallons of warm water and stir. Fill up another bucket with clean warm water.
• Soak a sponge in the TSP solution and start wiping down your cabinets. Focus on corners and any other areas where grease can build up.
• Afterwards, using a different sponge or a rag, rinse off the TSP with the bucket of clean, warm water, and you’re all set.

Then comes the easy part: let everything dry. Once the cabinets are clean and dry, there are still a few more steps of prep work to go, including sanding, filling, and priming. Then they’ll be all set to make the most of a new coat of paint.